My Mother Named me Frank (Copy)

My Mother Named me Frank (Copy) - Page Text Content

BC: Polly Meade

FC: My Mother named me Frank

1: If you really want to know a person, start at the beginning, not the end. After all the great parade of life is over, there's nothing left to spend. My mother named me Frank and I had a joke about it. I would say "My mother told me , " you go into the world and be frank." So I was an honest ,fun loving man ever happy, never a crank "Don't let the stars get in you eyes"

2: We lived in a small village, my wife, daughter and me. My wife worked at the local drug store. And I will tell you about the many hats I wore. In a small Village life is an open book. Where tales are written on the pages. Of people through out the ages. So read on, if you choose to look. "Fly me to the moon"

3: Most were German ancestry and related one way or another. So. you never knew if you just insulted someone's brother. I was the Village fire chief. We were indeed a motley crew Anyway, we put out a fire or two. Often we were wetter than the fire. Much to our dismay and ire. But we kept the town from harm. Ready to go on first alarm. "Raindrops keep falling on my head"

4: I worked at Shell Oil. A good job with money to spend . Then, it came to an end. An oil drum blew. Nothing we could do. My buddies died in the flames. I survived, much to my shame. Why didn't I die , too? "Like a bridge over troubled waters"

5: I had to dig myself out of the mire. A part of me died in that fire. Life is harsh, but it has to be lived. I decided from that moment on, I would give all that I had to give. "Oh, Lord, I hope this day is good"

6: I joined the Masons, got a job in a grocery store. That was so long ago, I almost forgot. So much time has passed, maybe I had rather not. I know I worked at all jobs I could get. I made them fun, I had no regret. "He sang from his heart"

7: Many of my friends played in a band If it were music, we all had an ear. The village square had a bandstand people came with buckets of beer, Many evenings spent in good cheer. There was a tavern on every corner, and by this time I was a joiner. This led to my becoming a Shriner. "He sang with his soul"

8: Life always has a way of slapping you down. My wife passed away, and I became a clown. The Shriner's Circus and parades were my joy. I tried to give happiness to every girl and boy. So, this time my hat was red. It fit well on my head. "Where are the clowns "

9: Driving a truck kept me on the road. I was happy driving to St. Louis with my load. When I got home I would have dinner at a local cafe. I was sort of adopted. it would be safe to say. The owner called it "family time". Good people, food and wine. Then, they moved away. "There must be clowns"

10: Oh, what a grand send off for me. The Masons, Shriners, Firemen, friends in one last parade. They took me by the firehouse , blew the whistle , by golly. My mother was right by far. Always be who you are. And I was Forever Frank. "there has to be clowns Well,maybe next year"

11: In loving memory of Frank Franzlau who always brought fun and laughter to all. He and his friends always sang "goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene" at last call. I kept telling them, my name was Polly. It didn't matter, not one bit. by golly. Dedicated to Carol, his grandson and all his family. "I love a parade"